SOUTHINGTON - One of two people charged in a local animal cruelty case has been sentenced to probation after accepting a plea bargain.

Jason Savage, 41, of 21 Evan Road, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals during a hearing Wednesday, in Bristol Superior Court. He was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended, and 18 months of probation. In addition to other conditions, he is not allowed to have any pets while on probation.

Following the hearing, Kelly Savage, 38, who has also been charged, was ordered to be re-arrested for not being present during her scheduled hearing. She faces charges of cruelty to animals, failure to comply dog ownership requirements and no rabies vaccination. A judge agreed to potentially vacate the re-arrest order if she checked in at the courthouse before it closed at 5 p.m.

According to police, the Savages were arrested after their three dogs were found stained with urine and feces, and had live fleas on their fur. The bedroom where the animals were locked - two of which had to be euthanized - was infested with bugs and reportedly smelled so bad that one of the officers who responded to investigate had to leave the home.

Police were made aware of the dogs on Feb. 19 after a family member of the Savages was helping the couple move and saw the animals in a bedroom. The woman was able to remove one of the smaller dogs, an older Maltese named Riley, and called police about the other two animals.

Police responded to the home and Kelly Savage agreed to sign the animals over to Animal Control. The two dogs were taken from her home, and the third one was later located and also taken by Animal Control. One of the dogs, Angel, a 9-year-old Shepherd Mastiff mix, had been diagnosed with cancer and was found in the couple’s home covered in tumors and underweight, with her ribs and pelvic bones visible, according to the arrest warrant. She had to be euthanized because of her condition.

Riley and the other dog, a 7-year-old Shepherd Mastiff mix named Sasha, were also in bad shape. Riley was lean and had matted fur. His paws and fur were stained with urine and feces. He had fleas, cataracts in both eyes and an ear canal filled with fur. Sasha appeared slightly overweight, with live fleas visible on her fur. Her skin was inflamed, and she had an infection in both of her ears.

Police found that Angel had last been seen by a veterinarian in 2010. It did not appear as though Sasha and Riley had ever been to a vet, police said. Both Sasha and Riley were put on treatment plans, but Riley had to be euthanized. Sasha was put up for adoption.

Justin Muszynski can be reached at 860-973-1809 or jmuszynski@bristolpress.com.